NEW EPIC SHOWS ANNOUNCED: VOYAGE TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA, DANIEL DEFOE'S ROXANE, MEDIEVAL SERIES MATILDA! BLACK NARCISSUS EPIC TV SERIES STARTS TONIGHT AT FX

   NEW PRODUCTION OUTFIT  

ANNOUNCES A WHOLE SLATE OF NEW EPIC TV SHOWS

Daniel Defoe's novel will become a series

Legendary Entertainment has launched the joint venture production company Watford & Essex with White Princess and White Queen producers Emma Frost and Matthew Graham, and has announced development of 10 projects, among which are: VOYAGE TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA (a remake of the 1960 adventure series to be penned by Chris Lunt and Michael Walker), ROXANA (dark and funny parable about female identity, adapted by Emma Frost from Daniel Defoe's epic novel), MATILDA (Medieval female driven political adventure series created by Matthew Graham)! Fingers crossed none of these projects will be like Frost and Graham's current ultimate flop Spanish Princess. 

  BLACK NARCISSUS  

EPIC SERIES STARS TONIGHT

And speaking of epic series, just to remind you that tonight over at FX BLACK NARCISSUS series airs for US audience, with UK audience seeing it

Alessandro Nivola will be the hunk factor

next month. The series will also be available on Hulu as of tomorrow if you prefer streaming! 

 

  BLACK NARCI- SSUS EPIC SERIES

 is set in Mopu, Himalayas, in 1934 at a remote clifftop palace once known as the ‘House of Women’, the location holds many dark secrets. When the young nuns of St. Faith attempt to establish a mission there, its haunting mysteries awaken forbidden desires that seem destined to repeat a terrible tragedy. During the latter years of British rule in India, ambitious young nun Sister

Gemma Arterton takes the female lead role in the series

Clodagh (Gemma Arterton) heads a mission to a remote part of the Himalayas. The palace of Mopu has been donated by General Toda Rai, who hopes the Sisters of St. Faith will rid the ‘House of Women’ of unhappy

Aisling Franciosi also stars in the new series

memories connected tohis late sister, Srimati. Although Clodagh ignores the warnings of the General’s raffish agent Mr. Dean (Alessandro Nivola), isolation and illness soon take their toll, with the haunting atmosphere of the

Before starting in UK next month,the series will stream on Hulu

palace particularly affecting volatile Sister Ruth (Aisling Franciosi). As past and present collide, the arrival of the young General Dilip Rai (Chaneil Kular) is the catalyst for an explosion of repressed desires that may end in a fatal confrontation. Late Diana Rigg also stars alongside Jim Broadbent.

NUNS ARE FACED WITH DARK PASSIONS IN THE ATMOSPHERIC FULL TRAILER FOR BLACK NARCISSUS EPIC TV SERIES WITH GEMMA ARTERTON, ALESSANDRO NIVOLA, JIM BROADBENT, DIANA RIGG

 BLACK NARCISSUS TRAILER

SENDS NUNS TO HIMALAYAS

A full trailer has been released for a three part small screen adaptation of Rumer Godden's novel BLACK NARCISSUS with Gemma Arterton

Black Narcissus starts November on FX

which will air on FX November 23rd and then will also be available next day on Hulu! Over at BBC it will air in December. The atmospheric trailer offers a much better look on the new epic drama and its visual splendour.

 

     BLACK NARCISSUS is set in Mopu, Himalayas, in 1934 at a remote clifftop palace once known as the ‘House of Women’, the location holds many dark secrets. When the young nuns of St. Faith attempt to establish a mission there, its haunting mysteries awaken forbidden desires that seem destined to repeat a terrible tragedy. During the latter years of British rule in India, ambitious young nun Sister Clodagh (Gemma Arterton) heads a mission to a remote part of the

Chaneil Kular, Gemma Arterton and Alessandro Nivola

Himalayas. The palace of Mopu has been donated by General Toda Rai, who hopes the Sisters of St. Faith will rid the ‘House of Women’ of unhappy memories connected tohis late sister, Srimati. Although Clodagh ignores the

Jim Broadbent, Diana Rigg and Gina McKee

warnings of the General’s raffish agent Mr. Dean (Alessandro Nivola), isolation and illness soon take their toll, with the haunting atmosphere of the palace particularlyaffecting volatile Sister Ruth (Aisling Franciosi). As past

Aisiling Franciosi, Patsy Ferran and Rosie Cavaliero

and present collide, the arrival of the young General Dilip Rai (Chaneil Kular) is the catalyst for an explosion of repressed desires that may end in a fatal confrontation. Late Diana Rigg also stars alongside Jim Broadbent.

BLACK NARCISSUS EPIC SERIES TRAILER WITH GEMMA ARTERTON, ALESSANDRO NIVOLA, DIANA RIGG, JIM BROADBENT! SARAH SNOOK TO LEAD JANE AUSTEN'S PERSUASION MOVIE ADAPTATION

SARAH SNOOK TO LEAD

NEW JANE AUSTEN MOVIE

We watched Sarah in Dressmaker

Although latest adaptation of Emma wasn't an overly successful affair (but it did have brilliant visuals), a new Jane Austen movie is in works! As Hollywood Reporter informs, Sarah Snook (who was nominated for an Emmy for her role in Succession TV series and we watched her in Kate Winslet's amazing Australian movie Dressmaker) will lead new movie version of her final novel PERSUASION! 

To be directed by Mahalia Belo, it is a romance of second chances, telling the story of Anne Elliot who, many years after refusing the proposal of young naval officer Frederick Wentworth, finds herself navigating the waters of English society when Wentworth returns from war a wealthy and decorated captain. As Anne ponders missed opportunities, she must consider her own regrets and unwavering, possibly unrequited love. Are you excited about the new adaptation? The lead is certainly a talented actress and a gorgeous woman.

BLACK NARCISSUS SERIES

GETS 1ST TRAILER & AIRING DATE

Black Narcissus starts November 23rd

In other exciting news from the period set genre, FX has released the first trailer for their and BBC's mini series BLACK NARCISSUS with Gemma Arterton! The three episode adaptation of Rumer Godden's novel will air all its three parts on FX November 23rd and they will also be available next day on Hulu! Over at BBC it will air in December. It is set in Mopu, Himalayas, in 1934 at a remote clifftop palace once known as the ‘House of Women’, the location holds many dark secrets. When the young nuns of St. Faith attempt to establish a mission there, its haunting mysteries awaken forbidden desires that seem destined to repeat a terrible tragedy. During the latter years of British rule in India, ambitious young nun Sister Clodagh

Gemma Arterton takes the lead role in the series

(Gemma Arterton) heads a mission to a remote part of the Himalayas. The palace of Mopu has been donated by General Toda Rai, who hopes the Sisters of St. Faith will rid the ‘House of Women’ of unhappy memories connected to

The three part series is adapted from Rumer Godden's novel

his late sister, Srimati. Although Clodagh ignores the warnings of the General’s raffish agent Mr. Dean (Alessandro Nivola), isolation and illness soon take their toll, with the haunting atmosphere of the palace particularly

Alessandro Nivola takes the male lead in the series

affecting volatile Sister Ruth (Aisling Franciosi). As past and present collide, the arrival of the young General Dilip Rai (Chaneil Kular) is the catalyst for an explosion of repressed desires that may end in a fatal confrontation. Late Diana Rigg also stars alongside Jim Broadbent. 

HOLLYWOOD SPY'S MASSIVELY EXTENSIVE LIST OF ALL THE EPIC, HISTORICAL AND PERIOD SET SHOWS WE MIGHT STILL GET TO WATCH IN 2020 AMIDST CORONA PRODUCTION LOCKDOWNS!

ALL THE EPIC TV SHOWS

WE CAN STILL EXPECT IN 2020
I've already told you that after Last Kingdom season 4 which is currently streaming on Netflix we shouldn't expect many epic TV shows on the telly this year due to corona virus. Production on all series has stopped, some

Rege Jean Page leads Bridgerton cast

networks (Sky namely) have halted their productions entirely till 2021, and some are seeking ways to continue with work, BBC is for example looking to shoot by quarantining crews and actors together at overseas filmings. Here are the shows that are already shot and will probably be aired this year.

Bridgerton
Netflix has not only finished shooting their new historical series BRIDGERTON in March, but I hear rumours of a 2nd season already ordered. The adaptation of Julia Quinn's historical romance novels will use the method of black washing to put actors of colour into the roles of dukes, lord and ladies. It will star Polly Walker, Regé Jean Page, Phoebe Dynevor, Julie Andrews, Ben Miller, Luke Newton, Jonathan Bailey, with the story set during England’s early 1800s Regency period following love lives of eight very rich Bridgerton family heirs! Given that it comes from Shonda Rhymes who gave us the criminally bad Still Star Crossed, you can expect cheap cheesiness in this one too.

Cursed

Netflix has already finished shooting Arthurian legends epic mini series CURSED last year, so it is ready to air sometime this year with Katherine Langford as Nimue, a young rebellious heroine whose destiny lies in helping

Cursed will premiere sometime this summer on Netflix

Arthur, a young mercenary to ascend to the throne of Camelot. In another case of blackwashing Devon Turell is playing Arthur, Gustaf Skarsgard is

Matt Stokoe as Sir Gawain in the new epic TV series

Merlin, Matt Stokoe is Sir Gawain, Bella Dayne is Viking captain Red Spear, with Petter Mulan and Daniel Sharman also in the cast.

Black Narcissus

As far as I've heard the shooting of BBC's period set series BLACK NARCISSUS begun in October and was over before the lockdown,  so we will probably be able to see Gemma Arterton (playing a nun struggling to contain her repressed emotions in the remote Himalayan mountains up in the palace of Mopu) sometime this year! The three part adaptation of Rumer Godden’s classic novel will also star Alessandro Nivola, Diana Rigg, Gina Mckee and Jim Broadbent!

The Luminaries

BBC also finished their adaption of Eleanor Catton's Man Booker Prize-winning novel LUMINARIES in early 2019 and it was supposed to air this April but they might be keeping it for summer of autumn. The six part 19th century adventure series, starring Eva Green and Marton Csokas, tells an epic story of love, murder and revenge, as men and women travelled across the world to New Zealand to make their fortunes.

The North Water

British broadcaster also has another historical adventure already finished: four part mini series THE NORTH WATER, based on Ian McGuire's novel in which Colin Farrell as Henry Drax, a harpooner and brutish killer whose amorality has been shaped to fit the harshness of his world, sets sail on a whaling expedition to the Arctic with Patrick Sumner (Jack O'Connell), a disgraced ex-army surgeon who signs up as the ship’s doctor.

Romulus

Although they halted their international production till next year, Sky Atlantic has a few series already done, for example ROMULUS epic series shot in archaic Latin in ten episodes,  following the story of Romulus (Andrea Arcangeli) and his twin brother Remus (Francesco Di Napoli), in eighth century B.C. as seen through the eyes of three people marked by death, loneliness and violence.

Little Birds

The production of another of Sky's period set mini series has also finished in Andalusia and UK. LITTLE BIRDS inspired by Anais Nin's erotic stories, will be set in Tangier in 1955, in the famous ‘international zone’ - one of the last outposts of colonial decadence, and a culture shock in more ways than one for troubled American debutante Lucy Savage (Juno Temple). Hugh Skinner and Jean Marc Barr also star.

A Discovery Of Witches

Although the first season wasn't period set, the second season of Sky's A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES will be as flimsy witch Diana Bishop (played atrociously by scandalously bad Teresa Palmer) and vampire Matthew Claremont (always charismatic Matthew Goode) have been transported by means of magic to Elizabethan England. We might expect the airing later this year, although nothing has been confirmed.

Warrior Season 2

Although at some point there was a possibility of it having to find a new home as Cinemax was to abandon all scripted programmes, I have info that the 2nd season of their magnificently dynamic series WARRIOR might air in October! Andrew Koji, Kiearan Bew and Tom Weston Jones are to return to 19th century San Francisco China Town. This one was shot at the end of 2019. Chen Tang, Celine Buckens and Miranda Raison have joined the series regular cast together with Maria Elena Laas.

The Singapore Grip

ITV has finished an ambitious and exotic family saga set in colonial Singapore during World War Two. THE SINGAPORE GRIP follows the schemes, both commercial and amorous, of a wealthy British family as they struggle to preserve their prosperous business amid cataclysmic world events. A compelling portrait of a society in decline and a family clinging to a world that is crumbling around them! David Morrissey, Luke Treadaway, Colm Meaney and Charles Dance star in the six part adaptation of J.G. Farrell’s classic novel. It will air either this summer or autumn.

The Spanish Princess Season 2

Although the 1st season was one of the most poorly acted and most amateurishly written and directed shows we've ever had the misfortune to watch, Starz has already finished shooting the 2nd season of THE SPANISH PRINCESS which stars almost offensively talentless Charlotte Hope as Catherine of Aragon. The cast will now also include Ray Stevenson as King James IV of Scotland and Andrew Buchan as social climber Sir Thomas More!

BarkSkins

As I've recently announced, NatGeo will air their new epic TV series BARKSKINS from May 25th with a Hulu release the very next day. Starring David Thewlis, Christian Cooke, Aneurin Barnard and Marcia Gay Harden, the series, based on the novel by Pulitzer-winner Annie Proulx, follows a disparate group of outcasts who must navigate brutal hardships, competing interests, and tangled loyalties at the crossroads of civilization in late 1600s New France.

The Great

Hulu has already set May 15th airing date for their new four part historical comedy series THE GREAT! Elle Fanning leads this fictionalized, irreverent and anachronistic story of an idealistic, romantic young girl who arrives in Russia for an arranged marriage to the mercurial Emperor Peter played by Nicholas Hoult.

All Creatures Big And Small

British Channel 5 hasn't set an airing date yet for their remake of popular series ALL CREATURES BIG AND SMALL but I heard they shot a Christmas episode as well so it might be sometime next winter. Nicholas Ralph leads the cast of the series which  chronicles the heartwarming and humorous adventures of a young country vet.

Atlantic Crossing

Our favourite German production house Beta Film has finished filming period set series ATLANTIC CROSSING starring Sofia Helin, Tobias Santelmann, Kyle MacLachlan and Daniel  Betts. The eight episode series brings the story of Crown Princess Märtha who fought for her country and her marriage during the tragic events of World War II.

Empire Oktoberfest

Beta Film has another epic saga in their sleeve for this year, Munich set EMPIRE OKTOBERFEST in which the story revolves around a young girl who falls in love with a poor brewer's son. Their relationship is opposed by the girl's father, a rich mobster who has come to town to try to bully his way into the inner circle of Munich's brewery dynasties.

We can probably expect at least one Spanish and Russian epic TV  series too this year, but it is difficult for me to explore their markets in advance, so stay tuned or email us if you have any info on new epic projects!

FIRST LOOK AT GEMMA ARTERTON IN BLACK NARCISSUS EPIC TV SERIES! THIRD DAY TRAILER FOR SKY & HBO THRILLER TV SERIES WITH JUDE LAW, NAOMI HARRIS, EMILY WATSON!

'BLACK NARCISSUS'

FIRST LOOK AT SISTER CLODAGH

Today you can feast your eyes on the first photo of Gemma Arterton in BBC's period set series BLACK NARCISSUS in which she plays a nun struggling to contain her repressed emotions in the remote Himalayan

Black Narcissus will air sometime this year at BBC One

mountains up in the palace of Mopu! The three part adaptation of Rumer Godden’s classic novel will also star Alessandro Nivola, Diana Rigg, Gina Mckee and Jim Broadbent!

'THE THIRD DAY' TRAILER

FOR NEW JUDE LAW TV SERIES

Sky has released the first trailer for their new series THE THIRD DAY starring Jude Law and Naomie Harris in a story told over six episodes and in two distinct halves. The first – ‘Summer’, sees Sam (Law), a man drawn to a mysterious island off the British coast where he encounters a group of

After the first part there will be an immersive theatre event connecting the two parts

islanders set on preserving their traditions at any cost. The second – ‘Winter’, follows Helen (Harris), a strong-willed outsider who comes to the island seeking answers, but whose arrival precipitates a fractious battle to decide its fate. Summer and Winter work together as a complete series, but there will

Naomi Harris will lead the winter part of the unusual edgy series

also be a theatre movie in the middle and the three parts will together describe a larger narrative, creating a unique experience for those who seek it. Emily Watson also stars in the series that premiers May 12th and will also air on HBO.

ALESSANDRO NIVOLA, GEMMA ARTERTON, JIM BROADBENT, DIANA RIGG MOVE TO NEPAL FOR PERIOD SET BBC MINI TV SERIES BLACK NARCISSUS!

 'BLACK NARCISSUS' SERIES

CHOOSES A CAST FOR NEPAL SET EXOTIC AND STEAMY STORY

Gemma Arterton will play the lead role

We waited for the cast to be announced for almost two years now, but now BBC One has revealed the stars for its TV series adaptation of famous BLACK NARCISSUS classic and we quite love it. Alessandro Nivola and Gemma Arterton will headline the three part TV series which will also air on FX based on Rumer Godden's classic novel. The cast also has Aisling Franciosi as Sister Ruth, Diana Rigg as Mother Dorothea, Jim Broadbent as Father Roberts, Gina McKee as Sister Adela, Rosie Cavaliero as Sister Briony,  Patsy Ferran as Sister Blanche, Karen Bryson as Sister Philippa, and Dipika Kunwar as Kanchi.

BLACK NARCISSUS FOLLOWS
Sister Clodagh (Gemma Arterton), the leader of the nuns of St Faiths, who travel to Nepal to set up a branch of their order in the remote palace of Mopu. In the unfettered sensuality of the so-called House of Women, Sister Clodagh finds herself increasingly attracted to a handsome and damaged land agent, Mr Dean (Alessandro Nivola). He is a dissolute English colonial and First World War veteran whose combative relationship with the head sister of the order awakens

Alessandro Nivola takes the lead in the series that starts shooting in Nepal and UK next month

hidden longings in both. But as the repressed memories of Clodagh’s past become entangled with the tragic history of Princess Srimati, history seems doomed to repeat itself. Are there really ghosts here in the Himalayas, or are the nuns just succumbing to long repressed primal desires? And which of them is prepared to die – or kill – for love?

Speaking of epic shows, don't forget to tune in on Sunday for our Majestic Spotlight on Autumn 2019 Epic and Period Set Shows with exclusive new photos! It will be super Dezzlicious :)

BBC ORDERS MAGNIFICENT SLATE OF NEW TV SERIES: PERIOD SET 'BLACK NARCISSUS' & 'LITTLE WOMEN', INDIAN SET 'A SUITABLE BOY', SF' WAR OF THE WORLDS'! 1ST 'HOWARDS END' PHOTO WITH MATTHEW MACFADYEN

 NEW BBC TV SERIES

 NEPAL SET 'BLACK NARCISSUS'

Rejoice, royal subjects! BBC has just ordered tons of amazing new TV series. I'm probably most excited about the three part adaptation of BLACK NARCISSUS since I remember how exotic the classic film with Deborah Kerr was! Rumer Godden's story is set in the 1930s following Sister Clodagh who travels to Nepal to set up a nun order in the remote palace of Mopu. In the unfettered sensuality of the so-called House of Women, Sister Clodagh finds herself increasingly attracted to the handsome and damaged land agent, Mr Dean. But as the repressed memories of Clodagh’s past become entangled with the tragic history of Princess Srimati, the Nepalese princess driven to madness and suicide in the palace after her own tragic love story, history seems doomed to repeat itself.

INDIA SET 'A SUITABLE BOY'!
If you loved Jewel in the Crown and Indian Summers, Indian settings will be seen in the eight part adaptation of Vikram Seth's A SUITABLE BOY with an entirely non-white cast! Set in the 1950's it follows a young woman’s search for love and identity in a newly independent India. Lata is growing up in northern India. Her mother is determined to find her a husband, but after her sister’s arranged marriage, Lata is not convinced she wants the same path. Torn between duty to her family and the excitement of romance, Lata embarks on an epic journey of love, desire and heartache as three very different suitors vie for her hand. Her choice will play out against the tumultuous political backdrop of India at a crossroads, looking towards its first independent general election and carving out its own destiny. Almost 1400 pages long saga will be helmed by War and Peace Andrew Davies.

 BBC IS ALSO PREPARING 'TROY: FALL OF THE CITY' EPIC TV SERIES - 17TH CENTURY 'MINIATURIST' SERIES - 'SHIBDEN HALL' 19TH CENTURY SERIES - 'GUNPOWDER' 17TH CENTURY SERIES

NEW VERSION OF 'LITTLE WOMEN'

In coproduction with PBS they will also make a new three part series adaptation of Louisa May Alcott classic novel LITTLE WOMEN! The three part series will be produced by Cranford and Call the Midwife creator. It is a truly universal coming of age story, as relevant and engaging today as it was on its original publication in 1868. Set against the backdrop of a country divided, the story follows the four sisters Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy March on their journey from childhood to adulthood. With the help of their mother Marmee, while their father is away at the civil war, the girls navigate what it means to be a young woman: from gender roles to sibling rivalry, first love, loss and marriage.

SF 'THE WAR OF THE WORLDS'
For the lovers of sf there will be a three part adaptation of H.G. Wells' novel WAR OF THE WORLDS from Poldark and Victoria's Mammoth Screen!  At the dawn of the 20th century, Horsell Common in Surrey is struck by a huge meteor, and the inhabitants of Earth slowly fall victim to a vicious invasion. The three-part drama follows one man’s attempt to escape the ruthless Martians - but they are determined to destroy all human life as they attempt to conquer the earth…

FIRST 'HOWARDS END' PHOTO

BBC and Starz have also revealed the 1st photo from their 4 part HOWARD'S END the story of two sisters and the men in their lives. Hayley Atwell’s Schlegel is an idealistic young woman who is courted by the older Henry Wilcox (Matthew Macfadyen), a self-made businessman, after his wife Ruth Wilcox (Julia Ormond) dies unexpectedly and he becomes owner of HOWARDS END. Meanwhile Margaret’s capricious younger sister Helen Schlegel (Philippa Coulthard) takes up the cause of Leonard Bast (Joseph Quinn) a young bank clerk who falls on hard times at work. In the absence of their late parents, the sisters’ loving but interfering Aunt Juley (Tracey Ullman) tries to keep the young ladies and their brother Tibby (Alex Lawther) on the straight and narrow.

BBC IS ALSO PREPARING 'THE WOMAN IN WHITE' VICTORIAN SERIES - 'LUMINARIES' 19TH CENTURY GOLD RUSH SERIES - SEVEN NEW AGATHA CHRISTIE SERIES - NEW 'LES MISERABLES' SERIES!